Punjab Newsline | Shimla

Campaigning for elections to 51 urban local bodies, including four municipal corporations in Himachal Pradesh, will come to an end today as the State Election Commission completes preparations for peaceful and fair polling.

Voting will be held on May 17 in the municipal corporation areas of Dharamshala, Solan, Mandi and Palampur.

With the end of campaigning, polling teams will leave for their respective polling stations carrying EVMs and other election materials. The district administration and election department have already completed training for polling staff. Authorities have also directed officials to ensure proper security, electricity, drinking water and communication facilities at all polling booths.

The Election Commission has made extensive security arrangements to maintain law and order during the elections. Police personnel will be deployed across all four municipal corporation areas, while additional security forces will monitor sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations.

Orders have also been issued to keep liquor shops closed for 48 hours before voting. Police will keep a close watch on suspicious activities and outsiders entering the polling areas.

Polling will begin on the morning of May 17 and continue until 3 PM. Voters standing in queues before the deadline will still be allowed to cast their votes.

A total of 449 posts will be contested across four municipal corporations, 229 municipal council seats and 156 nagar panchayat seats in the state. Of these, 89 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes, 12 for Scheduled Tribes and 195 for women.